So my neighbor and his brother went to the first pre-screening on the midway that all the cast was at. No military connections whatsoever. Apparently it was very easy to get into and connections not required. Speaking of connections, several years ago I applied for a HELOC at PenFed. At first they said I couldn’t get one because I was not in the military and had no connections. Then they offered me the opportunity to join some pseudo-charitable organization for military families. It cost $10 and then I was in. PenFed HELOC? Not military? No problem. Works well for us